Is Andy Farrell at a 10 a joke?

Question

Is Andy Farrell at a 10 a joke?

Answer 1

I agree that to put Farrell into a test at a world cup against South Africa is a very strange move by Brian Ashton.  Ashton should be playing his strongest lineup as the difference between a win and a loss here is a quarter final v Australia (for the loser) or v Wales (for the winner).  Surely they would rate their chances v Wales better than v the Wallabies.  There can be no doubting Farrells abilities after his glittering rugby league career but league and union are very different.  In league there is always 10 metres between the attack and defence whereas in union the defensive lines are much flatter and therefore players have less time to make a decision and then execute.  I think Mike Catt might very well come in and play the flyhalf position more often than Farrell as he has significant experience there at international level.  Farrell may play flyhalf in attacking situations where he can take on the defense and look to recycle quickly and create space out wide in that way, but in defensive situations I would expect Catt to move in one place and Farrell out.

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Answer 2

If you had ever watched rugby league you would be aware of Andy Farrell's qualities. He has great awareness and strength, and real leadership.

Even St Helens fans admired him, and he played for our arch-enemies Wigan.

My only concern is his age and stamina, otherwise he is a world class player in either code.

Answer 3

he will always give 100% ,in what ever position he is picked.englands  yawnion team is a joke..come back to jjb,faz. an play real rugby ,and be appreciated again..........

Answer 4

Andy Farrell is NOT a joke at 10, or any other other position for that matter!!

Answer 5

Even with Wilkinson's history of getting injured, Ashton decided only to take two fly halves. He probably thought that he could use Catt at 10 in an emergancy but his back isn't up to playing a full 80 as the main kicker. The blame lies with the manager for not bringing Flood or Hodgson as cover. Farrell has played one game at 10 and that was in a reserve match in the GP. As Wales found out with Iestyn Harries, just because a player is good at rugby leage, it doesn't mean you can put him at the most technical position in the team and expect him to play well with no prior experience.

Answer 6

Yes certainley is, his kicks are way off normally, quite frankly would have been better to put Catt in there, or failing that I think Vickery or Sheridan could kick better, but we will see.

Answer 7

lets hope he can do the job he`s been asked to do, he does have great leadership qualities, and he has the main ingredient which is determination, his pedigree shows what he is capable of, its time for him to shine again. and also hopefully England!!

Answer 8

Not sure if it is a joke .. Seems to me that there is little option as England have no one else due to injuries ..

My guess is that even though he will run out in the 10 shirt that you will find that Mike Catt will play pretty much in the Flyhalf role .. They will push Farrell in on defence .. and Catt will do the bulk of the directors job and the piloting  of the England ship .. ..

Answer 9

not so much a joke as desperate times call for desperate measures the only other alternative is havin him at 12 and Catty at 10 which again brings up the age/stamina issue

Answer 10

Its not his fault, Brian Ashton is the joke! Not even that England have lacked leadership since Johnson and in my opinion its the players who cant come to terms with it, Johnson was a great leader and England expect someone great to lead them now, unfortunately there are few men like johnson and none in England, even now Vickery is suspended

Answer 11

Nowt to do with Farrell though is it?

In all fairness, he is being brave by accepting the role!

Brian Ashton has known like the rest of us that Wilko has not been injury free since the the last RWC in 2003!

he should have selected another No 10 beside Barkley, with Wilko's history, there should be another No 10 in the squad!!